NFL Suspends Bills’ Sam Franklin for Spitting as He Appeals

The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin Jr. one game without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct after determining he spat at a Raiders player. The league said it happened with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter after a Raiders extra point in Buffalo's 33-30 win over Las Vegas. Franklin is the second Bills player suspended for spitting in that game. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected in the second quarter for spitting toward Brock Bowers, suspended one game, and apologized on Instagram to Bowers, teammates, and the organization. Coach Joe Brady said before the bye: "That's not the standard that we're going to have and play with." He added: "Those are things that can't happen on a football field. We want to toe the line in everything we do, but we can't cross the line." CONTESTED: The NFL says Franklin spat. Sources told ESPN, The Ringer's Tom Pelissero, and Syracuse.com that Franklin denies it and will appeal. Syracuse.com reported All-22 replay shows no evidence of spitting but shows Franklin pushing Raiders lineman D.J. Glaze after coming face-to-face with him. If upheld, the ban runs Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, sidelining Franklin for Buffalo's Nov. 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens. His appeal is pending.